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We sure hope you’re ready for an exceptionally thrilling expedition because that’s exactly what awaits on the way to Everest Base Camp!
As one of the most iconic trekking destinations in the world, EBC never fails to captivate with its snow-capped peaks, meandering routes, lush forests, and roaring alpine rivers with suspension bridges.
The good news is that there’s more than one airport near Everest Base Camp, enabling you to easily choose your own aviation routes. Lukla is the primary starting point, as Tenzing-Hillary serves as the main airport near Everest. However, you have a few alternative routes if you prefer to skip the crowds.
Nepal’s airport near Mount Everest is known for its dangers, but pilots are expertly trained to handle the challenging conditions. If you’ve never planned an EBC trek Nepal before, let’s take a look at what airport is near Mt Everest!
Perched at an exceptionally high altitude, Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla offers its own share of thrills!
And if you’re wondering how high is Lukla airport near Everest, the answer is nearly 9,500 feet! Notorious for being one of the most dangerous airports in the world, Tenzing-Hillary Airport is your first stop on the EBC trail, but it’s also the closest airport near Everest.
This airport is considered one of the world’s most dangerous due to its high altitude and a short runway of just 527 meters.
But that’s not all: it’s also surrounded by towering peaks which can compromise visibility. In addition to all that, the airport is perched smack dab on a steep slope.
As such, landing there is a thrilling experience that requires plenty of expertise and talent. Rest assured that despite the (many) challenges though, thousands of trekkers safely land there each year.
If you’re worried about the flight challenges, we’d like to assure you that the pilots are known for being extremely experienced and cautious. If the conditions aren’t ideal or if the passengers’ safety are compromised in any way, the pilot may postpone or cancel the flight. Because of this, it’s recommended that you add some buffer days in your Everest trek itinerary just in case there are some delays.
Flights may also depart from Ramechhap Airport to reduce congestion at Kathmandu, depending on air traffic and the number of trekkers flying into the Everest airport.
Now, if you’d rather avoid Tenzing-Hillary Airport, rest assured that there are other ways of getting there.
Not unsurprisingly, first-time trekkers often feel intimidated by landing in one of the most dangerous airports near Mount Everest. But don’t let this fear deter you from such an exhilarating adventure though. If you don’t want to land at Lukla airport, you can always consider one of the alternative routes to get there.
For instance, another airport near Everest is Phaplu. Phaplu offers a safer, less crowded alternative to Tenzing-Hillary Airport with fewer flights, making it ideal for avoiding the tourist crowds at EBC in spring and fall.
Phaplu Airport has fewer weather-related cancellations, but you'll need 3-4 extra trekking days to reach Namche Bazaar, the Everest gateway.
The detour adds time to your journey, but the ascent is more gradual than trekking directly from Lukla.This may be an advantage for first-time trekkers since the slower ascent can significantly reduce the risks of altitude sickness. At the same time, you’ll get to marvel at the landscapes and rich culture that beckon from the lower Solukhumbu area.
A little-known fact is that in addition to Phaplu and Tenzing-Hillary, there is a third airport near Mt Everest. Ramechhap is a main backup airport near Mount Everest during seasonal congestion between Kathmandu and Lukla.
As we mentioned above, weather often causes delayed and canceled flights for trekkers. However, flights from Ramechhap to Lukla tend to be more stable.
Located 82 miles from Kathmandu, Ramechhap offers an alternative to avoid crowds. Though usually quiet, airlines divert flights there during peak trekking seasons (March-May, September-November).
There’s no doubt that this airport can easily help you manage congestion or avoid the crowds altogether. However, you do need to drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap Airport. This journey can take around 4 to 5 hours, sometimes more. Some trekkers choose to stay in Ramechhap the night before their flight and catch an early morning flight the next day.
Lukla Airport is, without a doubt, the most infamous airport near Everest.
This dangerous airport near Everest frequently delays and cancels flights, with its extreme geography posing significant aviation risks.
This area experiences strong winds, requiring skilled pilots to navigate through. Due to the short runway, pilots must often make a steep approach to this Everest airport, in addition to navigating high winds.
The far end of the runway drops sharply off a cliff, while the other side is bordered by a solid mountain wall. This leaves the pilot with very little to virtually no room for error, whether they’re taking off or landing.
In addition to the cliff drop and mountain wall, Lukla Airport requires planes to take off from a downhill position. Similarly, they land uphill. Certified pilots specially train to navigate Lukla's unique infrastructure.
Now that you understand Lukla's altitude, it's important to consider how high-altitude conditions affect the plane's balance and the pilot's skills.. Because it has an elevation of 2,860 meters, the airport is subject to thinner air which can have a direct impact on the plane’s lift and efficiency. Because of this, the fairly short takeoff and landing are the two riskiest parts of the flight.
By comparison, airports at sea level tend to have far more stable air conditions and longer runways, which make for easier maneuvers.
If you’d like to hit those iconic Everest Base Camp trails, the most common (and quickest!) way of heading there is to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. As the capital’s primary airport, Tribhuvan International Airport sees more than its fair share of international flights in one day.
The journey from Kathmandu to Lukla takes around half an hour to 45 minutes. Domestic flights such as Summit Air commonly serve this route. We recommend that you try to book a window seat if possible because those aerial views of the Himalayas are absolutely breathtaking.
If visiting during peak season (spring and autumn), we strongly urge you to book your flights in advance.Demand during peak season can be so high that flights often sell out.
Airlines schedule most flights to Lukla earlier in the morning for the best visibility.
Just a heads-up: planes departing from Kathmandu to Lukla are much smaller than you might be used to.They’re usually compact, dual-engine aircrafts without a lot of leg space, designed for STOL (short takeoff and landing) maneuvers. For this reason, the maximum luggage allowance usually hovers around the 10 to 15kg per person range. If you’re not able to pack all the gear that you need, you can always pick up more stuff at Namche Bazaar.
As we mentioned above, it’s important to plan for some buffer days since these flights are often prone to delays or cancellations.
Lukla airport may be the quickest way of getting to EBC since the airport basically lies right at the trailhead. Because of the delayed and canceled flights though, many trekkers (especially experienced ones) opt for the overland travel route instead.
If your Lukla flight is canceled, consider connecting routes from Phaplu or Ramechhap for a more immersive trek through lush Himalayan landscapes.
If you’re not familiar with the small town of Phaplu, rest assured that you’ll be in for an absolute treat. This town may be small, but it definitely offers packed cultural experiences. Now, we won’t sugarcoat it: there’s quite a trekking detour from Phaplu though as you’ll spend a few days traversing traditional Sherpa villages and thick forests of rhododendrons. After a while, this route eventually merges into the traditional Everest Base Camp trail, just a short distance from Namche Bazaar. This overland trekking option may add a few extra days to your journey but then again, the gradual incline towards Namche Bazaar and EBC will help you adjust to the elevation.
Alternatively, you can also trek from Ramchhap on your way to EBC. Ramchhap does have an airport, but you can always trek from there.
Note that the route from Ramechhap is rocky and more strenuous, so experienced trekkers should only take it.
Because it’ll take you through isolated regions, we also suggest that you avoid trekking through Ramchhap alone.
Lukla Airport was aptly named after Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary, the first two people who successfully scaled Mount Everest. A little-known fact is that Edmund Hillary was actually inspired to build Lukla Airport to make it easier for climbers and trekkers to reach the Everest Base Camp route. He would continuously ask himself “why not put an airport near Everest?” and before long, his ambition was fulfilled.
As such, they constructed the airport right at the trailhead’s starting point.
The 1971 opening of Lukla Airport made the EBC route much more accessible. Trekkers and climbers from far and wide started pouring into the country to explore those formerly inaccessible trails. Nowadays, peak season can see around 50 flights taking off daily from Kathmandu to Lukla.
Lukla’s direct access to Everest Base Camp can significantly shorten your travel time. During peak trekking seasons, expect crowds and possible delays.
To avoid these issues, you can always hit the overland route through Phaplu. This option is accessible by road or quick flight from Kathmandu. While this trek helps with acclimatization, it requires endurance, adding extra days to your expedition.
Now if you’re not on a tight budget, you can always consider booking an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour. Indeed, a lot of people choose to fly to Everest to cut back on time while soaking in those amazing aerial views.
It can take around 6 hours to reach EBC from Kathmandu or Lukla. On average, these scenic flights can cost around $1,500, but it’s all part of luxury trekking!
Alternatively, you may also look into booking a regular Everest Base Camp trek with a helicopter return.
If you’re landing near Mt Everest, monitor weather reports closely, as seasonal changes affect flights.
After all, the Everest Base Camp weather is notorious for its sudden changes which can impact your flight schedules. For clear skies, travel during optimal trekking seasons in spring and autumn.
Avoid traveling near Mount Everest in summer due to monsoon delays.
We urge you to plan your trek during the right months, especially in peak season. You’ll enjoy better trekking conditions and fewer flight hassles.
It’s always a good idea to fly during autumn since this is shoulder season on the trails. While the weather is optimal for trekking, the trails are a tad less crowded than in the spring.
Speaking of spring, this is the absolute best time to trek in Nepal. Be aware that airports can be congested due to the high volume of trekkers flying into Kathmandu and Lukla.
Okay, here’s the thing: skilled and trained pilots fly into Lukla, so you’re generally in safe hands. That being said, book only reliable flights and certified operators for your safety.
Just a few domestic airlines make the trip from Kathmandu to Lukla: Summit Air, Tara Airlines, Goma Airlines, Sita Air, and Simrik Airlines. With aircraft from Yeti Airlines, Tara Air is equipped with a fleet of STOL planes, Dorniers, and Twin Otter DHC aircraft. While these crafts are safe, they usually can’t accommodate more than 13 passengers in one go.
Summit Air (previously known as Goma Air) is one of the most popular operators.The airline operates a Turbolet LET-L STOL aircraft which can carry 19 passengers. It’s also got two Cessna Grand Caravan 208 B.
Another famous (and trusted) airline in Nepal is Sita Air which only started offering commercial flights in 2013. One of the reasons why this airline is in such high demand is because it offers both charter services and scheduled flights. Like Tara Air, Sita Air’s Dornier crafts can only accommodate 13 passengers per flight.
As you can now tell, using high altitude airports isn’t without challenges: from delayed and canceled flights to unpredictable weather, or even poor acclimatization to the elevated terrains, there’s a host of things to consider.
With proper preparations and precautions, you can ensure a smoother journey despite the challenges.
We recommend getting solid travel insurance to cover any delays. The Everest Base Camp trek is safe, but incidents can happen, and you don’t want a hefty bill while stranded on the trails. You want to ensure your warranty coverage suits high-altitude expeditions.
Along with buffer days, it’s wise to have backup plans to avoid wasting trekking time.
Whether you choose to travel through Tenzing Hillary Airport or lesser-known ones like Phaplu, there’s no denying that crossing through one of the airports near Everest leads to an unforgettable journey right in the lap of the Himalayas!
While Tenzing-Hillary airport is no doubt an absolute trekking hub, rest assured that you can still adopt the alternative routes.
Smaller airports offer a crowd-free alternative and take you through unique terrains you might not otherwise encounter.
Reaching Phaplu usually requires a few days of trekking, immersing you in the heart of Sherpa culture. The alternative days are also great for avoiding any potential congestion and delays.
No matter the route, breathtaking landscapes will greet you, captivating even the most experienced trekkers. Just remember to get a solid, high-altitude insurance coverage and you should be good to go!
Tenzing-Hillary Airport is the closest airport to Everest Base Camp and serves as the gateway to the trails. Due to the short landing strip and steep conditions, special training in short takeoff and landing maneuvers prepares pilots.
Lukla Airport has one of the shortest landing strips in the world. The short runway, steep approach, and challenging conditions mean that it’s the most dangerous airport on the continent.
Yes, helicopter tours offer stunning aerial views of the Everest region, ideal for luxury travelers. Be sure to book through Lukla with a certified instructor.
19 Dec 2024
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